The Princess Who Saw the Fall of Her Homeland Strives to Change Fate by Becoming the Cold Prince's Bride! - Chapter 18

“Well then, if I may be so bold…”

Gloria stood up quietly, as if to say, “If you’re going to insist that much, then I have no choice.”

Even though everyone in the room was watching her, she started to sing.

(Amazing…!)

Her singing voice was so good that even Elze couldn’t help but be impressed.

It was as clear as a little bird’s song, yet full of power that touched the heart.

With her incredible singing skill, Gloria could easily captivate anyone.

(Maybe even Richard…)

Worried, Elze looked toward Richard.

She thought he would be completely entranced by Gloria like everyone Elze…

(Wow…!)

But to her surprise, Richard wasn’t even looking at Gloria.

With the same bored expression as always, he stared off somewhere Elze, clearly uninterested.

He didn’t look like he was enchanted by the song at all.

(Not even this beautiful voice can move him…)

Elze was relieved, since it would be a problem if Richard fell for Gloria, but at the same time…

If he wasn’t even interested in someone as amazing as Gloria, it felt like Elze had no hope at all.

When Gloria finished her song, applause broke out, especially from Amalia and the other noble ladies around her.

“What a wonderful performance!”

“Truly the treasure of Ernstahl!”

Gloria gave a graceful bow and sat back down.

At this point, it felt like the event belonged to her alone.

“Thank you for the wonderful moment, Lady Gloria of House Liebner. Now, I would love to give the rest of you time to show your charm as well… but we’re running a bit short on time.”

(What?)

Elze was speechless at what the lady-in-waiting said.

Because Gloria was given time to sing, the other bride candidates would now get less time?

That’s ridiculous!

(…Or at least, I’d like to say that. But if the lady-in-waiting is in on it too, then it’s totally possible.)

This bride selection event is not fair.

Elze has to fight on her own in a situation full of favoritism and secret deals.

Just like they were overwhelmed by Gloria, the candidates who came after her spoke only a few words.

…At this point, Gloria clearly had the advantage.

The only table left was the one with Elze and the others.

It was still the first round of selection, but if things kept going like this, Gloria would run away with the lead…!

If this were a fair competition, that would be one thing—but trying to push others down using her followers and the lady-in-waiting?

(I won’t let that happen!)

It’s okay. Elze still had her turn.

Finally, Richard came over to their table.

The other bride candidates looked nervous after seeing how he treated Patricia and Gloria.

Then there’s only one choice—go for it!

“Would it be alright if I spoke first?”

With a bright smile, Elze spoke up.

The other candidates looked surprised, but none of them objected.

Elze turned to Richard and began to speak.

“I am Elze, the second princess of the Kingdom of Maglier. Prince Richard, we meet again—just as we promised.”

The moment she said those words, she could feel the air in the room shift.

It made sense that Richard would know Princess Patricia of the neighboring country and Lady Gloria of the ducal house.

But no one expected that Elze—a princess from a weak, far-off kingdom that barely anyone knew—would know Richard.

And on top of that, she mentioned a ‘promise’—a very suggestive word.

Elze could feel the shock and confusion spreading around the room.

Inside, she smiled to herself.

Of course, she wasn’t just making it up.

Just a few days ago, when she disguised herself as a servant and walked around the castle, she had met Richard.

‘We’ll definitely meet again! Next time, let’s talk more, okay? It’s a promise!’

Surely, Richard hadn’t forgotten.

That fateful encounter.

Elze kept her gentle smile, waiting for Richard to speak as he stared at her silently.

Then, the words that came from his mouth were—

“I don’t know you. Next.”

It was so blunt, it left her stunned.